Did you notice there was no Boxing Day mini from GW this year? We have word on what it was supposedly was and why it never made it to store shelves.
For the past two years in 2016 and 2017 respectively, Games Workshop has released a new “exclusive” model on Boxing Day (December 26th). Normally they can only be found at GW stores for a limited time. For example, 2016’s release was the Primus Medicae for Horus Heresy. The 2017 release was a new Sly Marbo model.
So where is 2018’s? There were rumors sprouting up around the internet of what people thought it would be, but as you already know, such exclusive never showed up on the 26th of December.
What Happened to the 2018’s Boxing Day Mini?
Multiple GW store managers/staffers have confirmed to Spikey Bits that the Boxing Day mini didn’t show up because the model was deemed “not suitable”. They also said that it was supposed to have been a Clan Escher model of some type from Necromunda.
Now while we love all the strides that Games Workshop has been making to be more inclusive for all hobbyists right down to miniature design, the not suitable comment seems to come at a time where things like this are a bit unexpected from them.
So what model from the Eschers could have potentially been so controversial that it was supposedly deemed “not suitable” that the Boxing Day exclusive was scrapped (or was that even the case altogether)?
Well, we can think of one model that has perhaps still not aged very well. Do you remember D’onne Ulani or “Mad Donna” as she was originally called in the early years?
Mad Donna by Mark Gibbons
Mad Donna as seen recently from one of GW’s MTO offering.
First thing’s first, this model could definitely use a reboot. GW has exceeded detail and stunning poses on their later models. So why could this have been deemed “unsuitable”?
Perhaps the model may have been too risque…even though Slaanesh models like the new Fiends throw any kind of wholesomeness out the window.
On the other hand, the model may have just not gotten enough approval from the upper management and the team didn’t have time to release another mini. It is a little odd that we didn’t see any kind of teaser from GW weeks before the scheduled Boxing Day nonetheless.
So there you have it, a solid case as to why there was no Boxing Day exclusive for 2018, and while we’re not saying it was or wasn’t a new Mad Donna, it still would have been fun to see a new lady model, Sisters of Battle, Escher, or otherwise.
And while may have not gotten an exclusive Boxing Day mini, but we did get the Slaanesh Noise Marine that is impressive just the same.
What would you have like to have seen for Boxing Day? Let us know in the comments of our Facebook Hobby Group.
About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
